Page:The Queens Court Manuscript with Other Ancient Bohemian Poems, 1852, Cambridge edition.djvu/87

 The war-axe struck into a tree,
 * The tree on the host doth fall,

And thirty to their fathers go—
 * In wrath doth Ludiek call:

“Thou monster! giant serpent’s brood!
 * “Come, draw thy sword to fight!”

And Zaboi heaves his sword, and doth
 * A piece from his buckler smite;

When Ludiek strikes again, his sword
 * Doth vain on the tough shield light.

With rage inflam’d they strike amain,
 * Till each is wounded sore,

A wound appears in every part,
 * And all around is gore;

And those in savage combat near
 * With blood they spurtle o’er.

The sun o’erpasseth noon, from noon
 * Approacheth towards even-tide,

And still ’tis fought, nor here nor there
 * Retreat on either side;

Here Zaboi fought, and Slavoi there
 * The foe alike defied.

“Hence, murderer! Bies receive thee! hence!
 * “Why drink’st thou yet our blood?”